Apparatus for charging container means with a charging fluid



R. D. KELLEMS 3,442,303 APPARATUS FOR CHARGING CONTAINER MEANS WITH A CHARGINQ: FLUID May 6, 1969 Sheet of5 Filed Oct. 6, 1966 l l I w. I a

WEN 0 o ll I I INVENTOR. RONALD D. KELLEMS BYzQq w wy y HIS ATTORNEYS y 1969 R. D. KELLEMS 3,442,303

APPARATUS FOR CHARGING CONTAINER MEANS WITH A CHARGING FLUID Filed om. e, 1966 Sheet 2 of 5 INVENTOR I RONALD D. KELLEMS HIS ATTORNEY y 6, 1969 A R. D. KELLEMS 3,442,303

APPARATUS FOR CHARGING CONTAINER MEANS WITH A CHARGING FLUID q Filed Oct. 6, 1966 Sheet 3 of 5 38 zvA-fil I INVENTOR RONALD o. KELLEMS HIS ATTORNEY y 6, 1969 R. D- KELLEMS 3,442,303

APPARATUS FOR CHARGING CONTAINER MEANS WITH A CHARGING FLUID Sheet Filed Oct. 6, 1966 I lll ln INVENTOR RONALD D. KELLEMS wkAm 4 HIS ATTORNE R. D. KELLEMS May 6, 1969 APPARATUS FOR CHARGING CONTAINER MEANS WITH A CHARGING FLUID Sheet 5 of5 Filed Oct. 6, 1966 T ll INVENTOR RONALD D. KELLEMS BY katw 124 HIS ATTORNEY United States Patent Office 3,442,303 Patented May 6, 1969 3,442,303 APPARATUS FOR CHARGING CONTAINER MEANS WITH A CHARGING FLUID Ronald D. Kellems, Henrico County, Va., assignor to Reynolds Metals Company, Richmond, Va., a corporation of Delaware Filed Oct. 6, 1966, Ser. No. 584,889 Int. Cl. B65]: 39/00 US. Cl. 141-18 12 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention pertains to fluid charging means and more particularly to an improved apparatus for and method of charging container means with a charging fluid.

For reasons of economy and to preserve desirable taste qualities many beverages are presently sold in comparatively large beverage containers which are stored in a domestic refrigerator, or the like, and dispensed from such containers as desired. Many of such beverages utilize a fluid, such as carbon dioxide, for example, to maintain the particular beverage in a properly charged condition. While there are devices in current use for charging beverage container means with carbon dioxide, such present devices are expensive to produce, complicated to operate, and diflicult to maintain in a clean operating condition.

Accordingly, it is a feature of this invention to provide an improved charging apparatus for charging fluid dis pensing container means with a charging fluid wherein .such apparatus is of simple and economical construction.

Another feature of this invention is to provide an improved charging apparatus which is easy to position without undesirable wandering of its terminal lower discharge end to thereby efliciently charge container means in a production line operation.

Another feature of this invention is to provide an imroved charging apparatus of the character mentioned which utilizes simply actuated handle means enabling easy vertical positioning and alignment of charging needle means comprising such charging apparatus into a charging position within associated dispensing container means.

Another feature of this invention is to provide an improved apparatus of the character mentioned utilizing a minimum of component parts and in which the operating parts thereof likely to be damaged are positioned so as to minimize possible damage thereto.

Another feature of this invention is to provide an improved apparatus of the character mentioned adapted to be used to charge beverage containers with carbon dioxide and which is not susceptible to damage during the process of Washing and sterilization thereof. D

Another feature of this invention is to provide an improved apparatus of the character mentioned having injector head means comprising its terminal discharge end portion in which such injector head means is easily and quickly connected and disconnected for optimum vers atility of operation.

Another feature of this invention is to provide such improved apparatus having simple coupling means enabling such injector head means to be easily installed and removed yet without requiring special wrenches.

Another feature of this invention is to provide an improved apparatus of the character mentioned utilizing uniquely positioned and operating handle means which is constructed and arranged to enable positioning of a suspended injector assembly comprising such apparatus so as to assure that the lower terminal discharge end of such injector assembly is easily viewed without visual interference to thereby enable rapid positioning of injector head means of such injector assembly into dispensing position in an associated container means.

Another feature of this invention is to provide an eifi cient and simple method of charging dispensing container means with a charging fluid.

Another feature of this invention is to provide an improved method of charging beverage container means such as a beer keg, for example, with carbon dioxide.

Another feature of this invention is to provide an improved method of charging such dispensing container means .with a charging fluid enabling charging of such dispensing container means in an effective manner utilizing means enabling rapid removal and replacement of charging fluid injector head means used in carrying out such method.

Another feature of this invention is to provide an improved method of charging dispensing container means with a charging fluid which comprises means enabling charging of such container means without visual obstruction or interference and which is particularly adaptable to charging container means in a production line operation.

Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved charging apparatus for and method of charging fluid dispensing container means with a charging fluid having one or more of the novel features of this invention as set forth above or hereinafter shown or described.

Other objects, uses, and advantages of this invention are apparent from a reading of this description which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view with parts broken away illustrating the apparatus and method of this invention being utilized to charge a plurality of dispensing container means shown as a plurality of kegs moving along conveyor belt means.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view illustrating the manner in which the terminal discharge end portion of charging fluid injector head means comprising the improved exemplary apparatus of this invention is brought into charging association with suitable receiving means provided in bottle means arranged within each keg illustrated in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a side elevation of the improved apparatus of this invention with parts broken away particularly illustrating, by dotted lines, the manner in which the entire injector assembly means comprising such apparatus is vertically positioned by handle means and also illustrating the manner of moving the lower terminal discharge end portion of such apparatus in an arcuate path.

FIGURE 4 is a front view of the apparatus illustrated in FIGURE 3 of the drawings.

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 55 of FIGURE 3 with parts broken away.

FIGURE 6 is a view of the lower end portion of the injector assembly of FIGURE 1 with parts in section and parts broken away illustrating the manner of initially positioning its injector head means with cooperating receiving means of an associated pressurized bottle means "carried within each keg prior to actuation of actuator means provided to inject charging needle means comprising such injector assembly into fluid charging position.

FIGURE 7 is a view particularly illustrating the quickdisconnect coupling means comprising the lower end portion of the injector head means of this exemplary apparatus.

FIGURE 8 is a view similar to FIGURE 6 after actuation of such actuator means downwardly to thereby position such charging needle means into charging position.

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 9-9 of FIGURE 8.

FIGURE 10 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 1010 of FIGURE 8.

FIGURE 11 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 11-11 of FIGURE 8.

While the various features of this invention are hereinafter illustrated and described as being particularly adaptable for providing an improved charging apparatus for and method of charging fluid dispensing container means, such as a beer dispensing container, or keg, with a charging fluid, such as carbon dioxide, or the like, it is to'be understood that the various features of this invention can be utilized singly or in any combination thereof to provide a charging apparatus for and method of charging container means containing all types of beverages including carbonated soft drinks or for other uses as desired.

Therefore, this invention is not to be limited to'only the embodiments illustrated in the drawings because the drawings are merely utilized to illustrate one of the wide variety of uses of this invention.

In the exemplary embodiment of this invention as illustrated in its operating environment in FIGURE 1 of the drawings, an improved charging apparatus designated generally by the numeral is illustrated. Apparatus 20 is utilized in this exemplary embodiment to inject a charging fluid, such as carbon dioxide, for example, into suitable container means shown as a plurality of containers or kegs each designated by the numeral 21 and carried in a production filling and charging operation along a movable conveyor belt designated by the numeral 22.

Each beer keg 21 has bottle means shown as a pressurized bottle designated by the numeral 23 carried therewithin, see FIGURE 2, and suitable valve means designated generally by the numeral 24 is provided for controlling the flow of carbon dioxide into bottle 23. The carbon dioxide in each pressurized bottle 23 is used to charge the beer or other beverage contained in its associated keg in a known manner.

Each keg 12 has receiving means shown as a frustoconical receiving surface 25 adapted to receive the terminal lower end of injector head means to be subsequently described and comprising apparatus 20. Frustoconical surface 25 is arranged immediately adjacent valve means 24 and in flow communication with the upstream end portion thereof. Valve means 24 may be of any known construction such as a Schrader type valve and enables charging of each bottle 23 without requiring contact by charging needle means provided in the flow discharge end portion of the charging apparatus 20.

As seen particularly in FIGURE 1 of the drawings, apparatus 20 in this example of the invention comprises actuator means shown as an actuator 27 having a telescoping rod end portion 27A extending therefrom. Actuator 27 is suitably supported on a horizontally extending support plate or bracket 28 so that its telescoping rod end 27A- extends through suitable opening means in bracket 28 and moves substantially vertically. Apparatus 20 further comprises a substantially vertically suspended injector assembly means shown as an injector assembly designated generally by the numeral 31 having injector head means or an injector head 32 at its terminal discharge end. Injector assembly 31 is suitably fastened to the terminal lower end of rod 27A so that rod 27A and assembly 31 move together essentially as a unit.

Positioning means is provided for positioning injector assembly 31 vertically and such positioning means comprises lever means designated generally by the numeral 33 and comprising a lever having a bifurcate end comprised of a pair of parallel arms each designated by the numeral 34 and having handle means 35 shown as a handle 35 fixed to a transverse member 36 suitably interconnecting parallel arms 34. Lever assembly 33 has bearing surface means shown as a pair of similar bearing surfaces designated by the numerals 37 and comprising lower surface means of each parallel arm 34. Bearing surfaces 37 are adapted to engage a portion of assembly 31 to enable moving such entire assembly vertically upon pulling handle 35 downwardly.

Each arm 34 is pivotably mounted at its terminal end to an associated bracket 38, fixed to plate 28, by a pivot pin 39 extending through cooperating openings 40 and 41 in each arm 34 and bracket 38 respectively and pin 39 is held in position in any suitable manner as by a snap ring, or the like.

Each bearing surface 37 provided in each parallel arm 34 engages the upper end portion of injector assembly 31 by engaging rod means comprised of a pair of rods each designated by the numeral 43 and extending from opposite side surfaces of the upper end portion of assembly 31.

Thus, it is seen from FIGURE 1 of the drawing that upon manually grasping and moving handle 35 downwardly using one hand, a mechanical advantage is provided by lever assembly 33 which enables the entire injector assembly 31 to be easily positioned downwardly and it is only necessary to hold one hand along the injector assembly 31 to align the lower end portion thereof as desired. Essentially this arrangement with one hand on handle 35 and the other hand on the lower end portion of injector assembly 31 enables the entire injector assembly to be easily positioned while enabling unobstructed viewing and aligning of the terminal discharge end of its injector head 32 into an associated receiving means 25 provided into each keg 21 as it is passed under injector assembly 31.

Injector assembly 31 in this example comprises swivel means preferably in the form of universal joint means shown as a universal joint 45, see FIGURE 5. Universal joint 45 comprises the upper end portion of assembly 31 and has a cylindrical lower sleeve portion 46 adapted to receive a cooperating end portion 47 of assembly 31 therewithin. A set screw 48 is provided to fix universal joint 45 in position so that it defines the upper end portion of assembly 31.

Fastening means is provided for fastening the terminal lower end portion of actuator rod 27A is assembly 31 to hold such assembly in suspended relation and such fastening means comprises cylindrical sleeve means shown as a cylindrical sleeve 50 which is fixed at its upper end to the terminal lower end portion of rod 27A by suitable fastening means shown as a set screw 51. The lower end portion of sleeve 50 is suitably fastened to a bearing pin 52 comprising a portion of universal joint 45.

Pin 52 of universal joint 45 together with another pin 53 comprising such universal joint enable assembly 31 to be moved so that its terminal lower end moves in an are or arcuate path and such arcuate path may be a closed loop circular or oval path or a pendulum-like path as required to align injector head means 32 over each associated keg 21. As will be apparent from FIGURE '3, assembly 31 may be moved in a swiveling manner so as to outline an essentially conical configuration.

Injector assembly 31 is confined for swiveling movements by suitable confining means and such confining means comprises a tubular member 60 which confines the swiveling movement of injector assembly 31 to assure that its injector head portion 32 is brought into charging association or is positioned with respect to each keg 21 at a sufliciently acute angle with respect to a vertical plane (i.e., substantially vertically) to avoid damage to injector head 32 and to charging needle means carried therewithin.

If injector head 32 were to be brought into contact with an associated frusto-conical hearing or receiving surface 32 at a wide angle, with respect to a vertical plane, it could result in damage to apparatus as well as possible damage to an associated keg. Furthermore, if the discharge end of head 32 is not correctly seated within surface 25, it would not be possible to charge each bottle 23 with carbon dioxide in the required manner.

Tubular member 60 comprising the confining means in this example of the invention has inwardly projecting integral flange means 61 at its upper end defining a substantially cylindrical opening 62 adapted to be placed around sleeve 50. Flange 61 is rested upon shoulder means 49 provided in sleeve 50 and a set screw 63 holds flange 61 fastened against shoulder 49 of sleeve 50.

Tubular member 60 has substantially vertically arranged inside surface means shown as cylindrical inside surface 60A which limits or confines the movement provided by the universal joint 45. In this example of the invention portions of universal joint 45 engage surface 60A to confine the movement of assembly 31; however, it will be appreciated that surface 60A or a similar confining surface could be suitably arranged so that any part of assembly 31 could strike thereagainst to provide limited movement within desired limits.

Thus, it is seen that as handle 35 of lever 33 is moved downwardly so that bearing surfaces 37 of its bifurcate arms 34 engage associated pins 43 the entire assembly 31 is telescoped vertically downward while cylindrical inside surface 60A of sleeve 60 assures that assembly 31 is not adversely skewed or positioned thereby enabling bottle 23 to be properly charged with carbon dioxide without damage to associated components. In this embodiment of the invention the amount of swiveling movement provided by universal joint 45 is easily controlled by controlling the inside diameter of member 60 and hence the amount of clearance between its cylindrical surface 60A and such universal joint.

As seen particularly in FIGURES 6 and 8 of the drawings, injector assembly 31 has fluid passage means shown as a fluid passage 64 extending therealong. With assembly 31 held in suspended relation passage 64 is arranged substantially vertically and extends practically along the full length of injector assembly 31 and through charging needle means shown as a charging needle 65 comprising the terminal discharge end of assembly 31.

Passage 64 preferably extends in a continuous manner from its entrance end at 64A through charging needle 65 without intermediate valves, or the like, therein to define a substantially uninterrupted flow path. Such uninterrupted flow path 64 is particularly advantageous in handling fluids such as carbon dioxide under high pressure to preclude the possibility of clogging or freezing therealong, particularly in those instances when such carbon dioxide handled is in a liquid state and readily susceptible to icing.

The terminal discharge end of charging needle 65 is protected by the previously mentioned injector head means 32 comprising the lower end portion of assembly 31. Injector head means 32 has a substantially cylindrical outer housing means shown as a cylindrical outer housing 66 having bore means shown as a substantially right circular cylindrical bore 67, see FIGURE 11, extending therethrough. Guide means shown as a telescoping guide unit 70 is provided in the terminal end portion of injector head 32 and guide 70 telescopes inwardly into housing 66 during the process of charging an associated keg 21 using apparatus 20 of this invention.

Guide 70 has cylindrical passage means or passage 71 extending therealong adapted to receive charging needle 65 for sliding movement therethrough. The diameter of passage 71 and length of such passage corresponds to the dimensional configuration of needle 65 to assure that relative movement therebetween will not damage needle 65.

Yielding means shown as a compression spring 72 is provided as a portion of head 32 and such yielding means acts between guide 70 and a collar assembly or collar designated by the numeral 73 and fastened to a portion of the injector assembly 31 in any suitable manner. With injector head means 32 assembled in position at the terminal discharge end portion of injector assembly 31, spring 72 normally urges guide 70 outwardly in protective relation over the charging needle 65 so as to completely cover the terminal end of such charging needle.

Having described the operating components of injector head 32 it will be apparent that as handle 35 is moved downwardly toward an associated keg 21, the entire assembly 31 is lowered so that a cooperating frusto-conical outer surface 70A of guide 70 is positioned within receiving surface 25 provided in the associated keg 21. With handle 35 in its lower or charging position, suitable control means is actuated to actuate actuating cylinder or actuator 27 and thereby extend rod 27A downwardly.

Upon extending rod 27A downwardly it will be seen that the entire assembly 31 is moved downwardly a preset distance as determined by the mechanical construction of actuator 27. Because guide 70 is held against surface 25 of an associated keg 21, it cannot move downwardly any further and upon extending rod 27A charging needle 65 telescopes through passage 71 of guide 70 from the position shown in FIGURE 6 of the drawings to the charging position illustrated in FIGURE 8 of the drawings.

As charging needle 65 is telescoped through the preset distance determined by the movement of rod 27A it will be seen that outer housing 66 of injector head 32 also moves the amount of such preset distance in surrounding relation around guide 32. The stroke or preset movement provided upon actuating actuator 27 is of course controlled to suit the particular application.

As seen particularly in FIGURES 6-8 of the drawings, injector assembly 31 has transverse pin means shown as a pair of transverse pins each designated by the numeral and each fastened to its terminal lower end portion and extending beyond peripheral side edges of such injector assembly. Pins 80 are suitably fixed in position and as seen in FIGURE 10 extend from diametrically arranged points on assembly 31.

Housing 66 has slot means therein shown as a pair of diametrically arranged slots each designated by the numeral 81. Each slot 81 cooperates with an associated transverse pin 80 to fasten cylindrical housing 66 in position at the terminal lower end of the injector assembly 31.

Slots 81 and cooperating pins 80, in eifect, provide an easily coupled and uncoupled assembly or a quick-disconnect injector head means 32 defining the lower end portion of assembly 31. Spring 72, previously mentioned, operates to hold (essentially lock) the housing 66 and its guide 70 in position once injector head 32 is fastened to assembly 31 by urging housing 66 outwardly so that each pin 80 is urged within a recessed portion 81A of an associated slot 81.

In the course of utilizingapparatus 20 of this invention it may be necessary to inject carbon dioxide, or the like, into kegs having receiving means of different configurations and different sizes. In addition, even in those instances where the receiving means provided in a large number of production kegs is of the same size there is considerable wear on such injector head means, particularly the guide means thereof, necessitating repair and replacement. The quick-disconnect feature of the injector head 32 makes it possible to utilize the basic apparatus 20 in an efficient and versatile manner merely by providing an adequate supply of only the desired injector heads 32. Such injector heads are, of course, comparatively inexpensive.

Suitable control means is provided as a part of apparatus 20 for controlling the fiow of carbon dioxide into and through injector assembly 31. The control means may be of any suitable form which are brought into action by energizing a control switch, or the like.

In this example of the invention the actuating switch or actuating mechanism for such control means is provided in handle 35 and is shown as a button 84 provided in the terminal end of handle 35. Button 84 is arranged so that the handle 35 may be easily grasped with the fingers of one hand while using the thumb of such hand to actuate or press button 84, see FIGURE 1.

Valve means designated generally by the numeral 85 of known construction is provided for controlling flow of carbon dioxide into the entrance 64A of passage 64. Such valve means is preferably controlled electrically upon pushing control button 84. Valve means 85 is operatively connected in fluid flow relation to a suitable supply source of carbon dioxide by conduit means 86.

Button 84 is a momentary contact type button which is used with conventional electrical circuitry to control flow through valve means 85. In addition such conventional circuitry and known associated electrical components are used to energize actuator 27 and extend its rod 27A once assembly 31 is lowered by handle 35 as previously explained.

The entire injector assembly 31 illustrated in this example of the invention is normally urged upwardly and held at its upper position by actuating cylinder 27. The urging means provided within actuating cylinder 27 may be in the form of a compression spring, or the like. However, actuating cylinder 27 may be a pneumatic cylinder such as an air cylinder provided with a predetermined pressure on the outer surface of its piston head and a bleed to atmosphere to thus pneumatically hold assembly 31 in its upper or top position.

By keeping assembly 31 urged in its top position it is only necessary to pull handle 35 downwardly to position charging needle 65 into charging position in an associated keg 21. Once handle 35 is released, actuating cylinder 27 returns the entire assembly to its uppermost position. This process is repeated as each keg 21 is moved beneath apparatus 20 by conveyor 22 and the action of cylinder 27 in raising head 32 out of position once a given keg 21 has been charged enables a rapid and efficient operation with little likelihood of damaging components of apparatus 20 and each associated keg 21.

The improved apparatus 20 of this invention thus has an injector assembly 31 which is simply and easily vertically positioned manually utilizing lever 33 and its conveniently arranged handle 35 to provide easy positioning with minimum force application. In each instance it will be appreciated that the upward urging action of cylinder 27 is overridden by pulling handle 35 downwardly.

Thus, it will be seen that in each fluid charging operation an associated keg 21 is moved by conveyor 22 into charging position beneath apparatus 20. The operator of apparatus 20 utilizes one hand to grasp and pull handle 35 downwardly and his other hand to align (without visual obstruction) charging head 32 and specifically its guide 70 within an associated frusto-conical receiving surface 25. With guide 70 thus seated within surface 25, the operator uses this thumb to energize control switch or button 84. Conventional electrical circuitry takes over to first actuate cylinder 27 so that its rod 27A moves the entire suspended assembly and its charging needle 65 downwardly a preset distance into charging position. The electrical circuitry then operates to actuate valve means 85 and provide fiow of carbon dioxide through needle 65 and thereby charge bottle 23. Once the desired amount of carbon dioxide is introduced into bottle 23 fluid flow is suitably stopped and the control circuit automatically operates to retract rod 27A from its extended position and allow assembly 31 to be urged upwardly by suitable urging means preferably provided in cylinder 27. The cycle is repeated once another keg 21 is moved beneath apparatus 20.

In this example of the invention, assembly 31 and its associated components are urged upwardly preferably by spring means within cylinder 27 or by air pressure in an air cylinder of suitable construction. However, it will be appreciated that other suitable means provided externally of cylinder 27, capable of being overridden by lever 33,

may be provided to normally hold the suspended assembly in its top position.

As seen from the drawings, the major operating components of this invention are of simple and economical construction; furthermore, such components do not require the use of complex electrical components fastened to the lower end portion of assembly 31 to enable satisfactory operation thereof. Such simple construction makes it possible to readily clean, wihtout likelihood of damage, practically the entire apparatus 20, and especially the lower portion of the suspended assembly which engages each keg 21, utilizing cleaning techniques ordinarily used to clean food handling equipment.

The terminal end portion 70A of guide 70 and associated receiving surface 25 in each keg 21 are each illustrated in this example of the invention as cooperating surfaces of essentially frusto-conical configuration. It will be appreciated that the configuration of such surfaces is not controlling provided, of course, the particular end configuration of guide 70 corresponds to the associated receiving surface provided on each keg 21.

Terms such as upwardly, upper, downwardly, lower, top, bottom, side, and the like, have been used in this disclosure of the invention merely to identify the relative position of various components as illustrated in the drawings and the use of such terms should not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention in any way.

Thus, it is seen that an improved apparatus has been provided which is of simple and economical construction and which enables container means such as kegs containing a beverage, for example, to be easily charged with a charging fluid, such as carbon dioxide, or the like.

Furthermore, this invention provides an improved method of charging such kegs in an efficient and rapid manner.

While the form of the invention now preferred has been disclosed as required by statute, other forms may be used, all coming within the scope of the claimed subject matter which follows.

What is claimed is:

1. A charging apparatus for charging fluid dispensing container means with a charging fluid conprising, substantially vertically suspended injector assembly means having injector head means at its terminal discharge end, positioning means for positioning said injector assembly means vertically, swivel means supporting said injector assembly means for swiveling movements in a substantially pendulum-like path, and confining means for confining the swiveling movement of said injector assembly means to assure its injector head means is confined within a predetermined area in a substantially horizontal plane to assure said injector head means is brought into charging association with said dispensing container means at a sufficiently acute angle with respect to a vertical plane to avoid damage to said injector head means, whereby said positioning means and said swivel means cooperate to enable rapid and accurate alignment of said injector head means relative to said dispensing container means.

2. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which said positioning means comprises lever means pivotably mounted at one end portion and having handle means at its opposite end portion, said lever means having bearing surface means engaging said injector assembly means at its upper end portion and so that upon manually grasping and moving said handle means the mechanical advantage provided by said lever means enables said injector assembly means to be easily positioned while enabling unobstructed viewing and aligning of said injector head means over associated receiving means in said dispensing container means, said receiving means being adapted to receive a portion of said injector head means.

3. An apparatus as set forth in claim 2 in which said lever means comprises a lever having a bifurcate terminal end portion comprising said one end portion and which is pivotably mounted so that the parallel arms of said bifurcate end portion extend around said injector assembly means, and further comprising rod means fixed to opposite side surface means of said confining means, whereby upon lowering said lever means said bearing surface means thereof engage said rod means to thereby vertically lower said injector assembly means while simultaneously stabilizing the upper end portion thereof between said bifurcate end portion.

4. An apparatus as set forth in claim 2 in which said swivel means comprises the upper end portion of said injector assembly means and said confining means comprises vertically positioned surface means surrounding said swivel means and adapted to be engaged by said injector assembly means to limit the movement thereof.

5. An apparatus as set forth in claim 4 in which said swivel means comprises universal joint means and said vertically positioned surface means comprises a tubular member having inside surface means which limits the movement provided .by said universal joint means.

6. An apparatus as set forth in claim 4 further comprising, support means, actuator means fastened to said support means and having substantially vertically movable actuator rod means, fastening means for fastening said swivel means to the terminal lower end of said actuator rod means and thereby suspend said injector assembly means therebelow, and urging means normally urging said actuator rod means vertically upward to thereby hold said injector assembly means in its upward position, said urging means being overridden by said lever means to enable positioning of terminal lower end means of said injector head means against said associated receiving means.

7. An apparatus as set forth in claim 6 in which said swivel means comprises universal joint means, said vertically positioned surface means comprises a tubular member having inside surface means which limits the movement provided by said universal joint means, and said fastening means comprises cylindrical sleeve means fixed at its upper end to the terminal lower end portion of said actuator rod means and at its lower end to said universal joint means.

8. An apparatus as set forth in claim 6 in which said injector assembly means is operatively connected to a source of said charging fluid and further comprising control means in said handle means for controlling flow of said charging fluid through said injector assembly means, said control means being conveniently located on said handle means to enable easy energization thereof while holding said injector head means pulled downwardly in its aligned fluid charging position. i

9. A charging apparatus for charging fluid dispensing container means with a charging fluid comprising, substantially vertically suspended injector assembly means having injector head means at its terminal discharge end, positioning means for positioning said injector assembly means vertically, said positioning means comprising lever means pivotally mounted at one end portion and having handle means at its opposite end portion, said lever means having bearing surface means engaging said injector assembly means at its upper end portion and so that upon manually grasping and moving said handle means the mechanical advantage provided by said lever means enables said injector assembly means to be easily positioned while enabling unobstructed viewing and aligning of said injector head means over associated receiving means in said dispensing container means, said receiving means being adapted to receive a portion of said injector head means, swivel means for swiveling said injector assembly means through an are, said swivel means comprising the upper end portion of said injector assembly means, confining means for confining the swiveling movement of said injector assembly means, said con-fining means comprising vertically positioned surface means surrounding said swivel means and adapted to be engaged by said injector assembly means to limit the movement thereof, said confining means assuring said injector head means is brought into charging association with said dispensing container means at a sufficiently acute angle with respect to a vertical plane to avoid damage to said injector head means, support means, actuator means fastened to said support means and having substantially vertically movable actuator rod means, fastening means for fastening said swivel means to the terminal lower end of said actuator rod means and thereby suspend said injector assembly means therebelow, and urging means normally urging said actuator rod means vertically upward to thereby hold Said injector assembly means in its upward position, said urging means being overridden by said lever means to enable positioning of terminal lower end means of said injector head means against said associated receiving means, said injector assembly means having substantially vertically extending fluid passage means operatively connected to a source of said charging fluid and having charging needle means fastened thereto at its lower end in fluid flow relation and said injector head means comprising; substantially cylindrical outer housing means fastened to the lower end portion of said injector assembly means and having bore means extending therethrough and having guide means defining said terminal lower end means of said injector head means for guiding said needle means, said guide means being slidably supported within said bore means and having cylindrical passage means for protecting said charging needle means, yielding means yieldingly urging said guide means outwardly in protective relation around said charging needle means to normally protect said charging needle means within said cylindrical passage means; and said apparatus further comprising control means for controlling said actuator means and for controlling flow of said charging fluid through said charging needle means, whereby said positioning means and said swivel means cooperate to enable rapid and accurate alignment of said injector head means relative to said dispensing container means.

10. An apparatus as set forth in claim 9 in which said control means comprises switch means provided on said handle means enabling ea'sy actuation thereof upon placing said guide means of said injector head means firmly against said associated receiving means, said control means operating to actuate said actuating means to extend said actuator rod means and hence telescope said charging needle means a preset distance downwardly through said guide means into charging position and with said guide means being held against said receiving means causing said outer housing means to slide downwardly around said guide means by said preset distance, and said control means then initiates and controls flow of said charging fluid into said dispensing container means.

11. A charging apparatus for charging fluid dispensing container means with a charging fluid comprising; substantially vertically suspended injector assembly means; injector head meansrcomprising the lower end portion of said injector assembly means and having coupling means for rapidly coupling and uncoupling said injector head means; said injector head means comprising substantially cylindrical outer housing means and said coupling means comprising a pair of transverse pins extending from diametrically opposed locations on pcripheral surface means of said injector assembly means, a pair of diametrically arranged slots in said cylindrical housing means adapted to cooperate with said pair of transverse pins to enable rapid fastening of said outer housing means in position, and yielding means cooperating between said outer housing means and said injector assembly means to hold said outer housing means in locked position; positioning means for positioning said injector assembly means vertically; and swivel means for swiveling said injector assembly means and its injector head means through an are; said swivel means cooperating with said positioning means to enable rapid and accuto the lower end portion of said injector assembly means 1 and having bore means extending therethrough; and said injector head means further comprising; guide means defining said terminal lower end means of said injector head means for guiding said needle means, said guide means being slida'bly supported within said bore means and having cylindrical passage means for protecting said charging needle means, and yielding means yieldingly urging said guide means outwardly in protective relation around said charging needle means to normally protect said charging needle means within said cylindrical passage means; and said apparatus further comprising easily actuated control means in said handle means, whereby said control means is actuated upon placing said guide means of said injector head means firmly against said associated receiving means to thereby actuate said actuating means and extend said actuator rod means and hence telescope said charging needle means a preset distance downwardly through said guide means into charging position, and with said guide means being held firmly said outer housing means slides downwardly around said guide means by said preset distance and with said charging needle means in said charging position said control means controls flow of said charging fluid into said dispensing container means.

12. An apparatus as set forth in claim 11 further comprising confining means for confining the swiveling movement of said injector assembly means to assure its injector head means is brought into charging association with said dispensing container means at a sufficiently acute angle with respect to a vertical plane to avoid damage to said charging needle means carried within said injector head means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,830,536 11/1931 Fowler 14l387 1,833,228 11/1931 Reynolds 141-387 1,847,189 3/1932 Lindstrom 141-329 2,723,790 11/1955 Spiess et a1. 141329 X 3,234,707 2/1966 Weston 141--20 X 3,273,607 9/1966 ONeill 141-3 3,335,765 8/1967 Moonan 141-20 3,364,958 1/19'68 Sartor et a1. 141-4 HOUSTON S. BELL, JR., Primary Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 141-165, 329, 387 

